Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) Wood Treatment Sites State-of-the-Practice Review of Remediation Technologies
Historical use of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) for treatment of building lumber has resulted in legacy arsenic and chromium contamination at dozens of wood treatment sites in Denmark.CCA is a highly acidic (pH 1-2) solution of salts (chromium oxide [CrO3] and copper oxide [CuO]) and arsenic acid (H3AsO4) that is pressure-injected into wood to protect it against insect and fungi damage. Arsenic (As[V]) serves as an insecticide, copper (Cu[II]) as a fungicide, and hexavalent chromium (Cr[VI]) as a fixing agent. Estimates indicate that CCA-treated waste wood in Denmark increased from 17,000 tons in 1992 to 100,000 tons in 2010.
